Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Emma Gabay - Walt Disney

While Walt Disney made his way to New York City, his backer,
Charlie Mintz, was going behind his back. Mintz saw little value in the Disney
Brothers because Walt could hardly draw. Mintz set out to create his own
studio, convincing the entire Disney crew of animators to join him. Stunned by
the betrayal of Mintz and his employees, Walt vowed never again to work for
anyone but himself in August 1927. This was a defining moment not only in the
history of Walt Disney Studios, but in the history of American entertainment.

Riding back to California, Walt sketched almost every type
of character that was already used by other cartoon makers. His mind alternated
between his friend backstabbing him, terrified by the need to start all over,
and drawing an entirely new character. Inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo
flight across the Atlantic, Walt drew a story about a mouse that builds a plane
to gain the attention of a girl. His name was to become Mickey Mouse.

Some would say that Mickey Mouse was much like Walt himself
– he often failed, but always bounced back. When faced with a setback, he would
get up, dust himself off, and start all over again. Turning Mickey Mouse into a
success was to become a test of perseverance and faith. Trusting in his own
creative judgment, Walt had his team work on a third Mickey Mouse cartoon
called “Steamboat Willie,” which was influenced by Charlie Chaplin. He needed a
way for his cartoons to stand out among all other cartoons. Walt wanted more
than just sound and music to the cartoon. He insisted on music match-up. His
creation made history.

I grew up around everything Disney. Walt Disney may not have
been able to draw much, but he is an “artist” to me. His ideas and sketches are
what brought Disney characters to life. Walt Disney created much of the early
animation himself and realized he needed Ub Iwerk to help him clean up his
final designs. In the end, Walt Disney was able to make Mickey Mouse
entertaining as well as educational.

Walt Disney’s entire industry all started with a dream to
carry the wonder of childhood to people of all ages. Walt’s dream fueled a
great comeback:

“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that is
was all started by a mouse.”

References

Barrier, Michael. The
Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney. University of California Press, Ltd.,

2007.

Landry, Robert J., et al. A Mickey Mouse. Edited by Garry Apgar, University Press of
Mississippi,

2014.

Susanin, Timothy S. Walt before Mickey: Disney’s early
years, 1919-1928. University Press of